Dan Gelber

For the game designer, see Dan Gelber (game designer).

Dan Gelber
38th Mayor of Miami Beach
In office November 13, 2017 –November 28, 2023

Gelber's career in public service started at the age of twenty-five, when he was appointed as one of the youngest federal prosecutors in the nation. After nearly a decade prosecuting public corruption and civil rights cases, Gelber was selected by United States Senator Sam Nunn to be Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the U.S. Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations where he directed U.S. Senate investigations into global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

Gelber was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000 from District 106. As a member of the Florida Legislature, Gelber frequently sparred with former governor Jeb Bush. The Wall Street Journal referred to Gelber as Bush's "chief nemesis." Nevertheless, Gelber earned the respect of the former governor, who once told the St. Petersburg Times that Gelber "would be a very well qualified Governor."

In 2005, Gelber took charge of the Florida House Democratic Caucus' political operation. Under his leadership, despite the Democrats losing the Governor's mansion, state house Democrats have picked up nine Republican seats, their first net gain in the lower chamber in sixteen years, his party's best ever showing in a single cycle, and the fifth best overall gain in the nation.

In 2008, Gelber was elected to the Florida Senate from the 35th District.

Legislative record

Gelber makes a point in a news conference about the Prescription Drugs for Seniors Bill during the 2003 Legislature

Gelber has worked to increase fairness in the Florida tax code. In 2009, Gelber sponsored and helped pass a bill that closed a real estate loophole that allowed high end developers to evade taxes. He also worked to stop multistate corporations from avoiding Florida taxes. ^[4]

Gelber is critical of recent budget cuts that leave Florida last in per student spending. He has fought spending cuts to the state university system. He is also a vocal critic of the FCAT, believing that "[y]ou shouldn't have a school system where the ceiling is the floor." ^[5]

Drawing on his experience prosecuting corruption as a US Attorney, Gelber has been active in cleaning up government^{[ further explanation needed ]}. Sen. Gelber sponsored a bill that provides criminal penalties for official misconduct, criminal misuse of official position and bid tampering. This bill passed in HB 847 and was signed into law.^{[ citation needed ]}

2010 Attorney General campaign

Main article: 2010 Florida Attorney General election

On June 8, 2009, Gelber announced his candidacy for Florida Attorney General. Reminiscent of Senator Bob Graham's Workdays, Gelber performed community service across Florida, which included serving meals to the homeless, cleaning up the Wekiva River, and joining elementary school students in writing letters to veterans.^{[ citation needed ]}

Gelber soundly won the August 24, 2010, primary election, defeating his Democratic opponent fellow state senator Dave Aronberg by 18 points. ^[6] His campaign has been endorsed by many top public servants, including Republican state senator J. Alex Villalobos, former United States Attorney General Janet Reno, former Florida Education Secretary Betty Castor, former Congressman Jim Davis, Congresswoman and DNC Vice Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, as well as the Florida Police Benevolent Association, the state's largest law enforcement union.

Ultimately, Gelber lost the election to the Republican candidate, Pam Bondi. ^[7]

Mayor of Miami Beach

Mayor Dan Gelber speaking at rally at the Bass Museum, Miami Beach, 2018

On November 7, 2017, Gelber was elected mayor of Miami Beach with 82 percent of the vote over three other candidates. His main competitor, former commissioner Michael Grieco, withdrew from the election and eventually resigned from office amid a campaign finance scandal that led to criminal charges. ^[8]

Committee assignments

Committee Membership

• Commerce, vice chair
• Higher Education Appropriations, vice chair
• Policy and Steering Committee on Social Responsibility
• Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means
• Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities
• Judiciary
• Select Committee on Florida's Economy
• Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight

See also

• List of mayors of Miami Beach, Florida

References

1. Derby, Kevin (September 10, 2019). "Reelection Assured, Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber Staying on the Political Stage |" . Retrieved September 10, 2019.
2. Reporter, Contributing (September 9, 2019). "Miami Beach Mayor Gelber Unopposed, and Reelected on September 6th". Miami Beach Times. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
3. Carmona, Sergio. "Former Miami Beach Mayor Seymour Gelber was a dedicated public servant, active in Jewish community". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
4. "Press Release from Senator Gelber". Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
5. "Time ripe for FCAT change". Archived from the original on April 23, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
6. Sanford Brill. "Florida Department of State - Election Results" . Retrieved February 19, 2016.
7. "Election Results". CBS4. November 3, 2010. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
8. "Dan Gelber elected mayor of Miami Beach | Miami Herald". Miami Herald . Archived from the original on November 8, 2017.

• Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations

External links

• Dan Gelber for Attorney General:
• Dan Gelber's official legislative bio: member bio
• Wall Street Journal: A Tale of Two GOP's
• St. Petersburg Times: Governor Gelber?
• Palm Beach Post: FCAT role in schools' fate may be demoted
• St. Petersburg Times: Florida Democrats Grab a Role

External links

• Florida House of Representatives – Dan Gelber

Florida House of Representatives
Preceded by Elaine Bloom	Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 106th district 2000–2008	Succeeded by Richard Steinberg
Florida Senate
Preceded by Gwen Margolis	Member of the Florida Senate from the 35th district 2008–2010	Succeeded by Gwen Margolis
Preceded by Chris Smith	Minority Leader of the Florida Senate 2006–2008	Succeeded by Franklin Sands
Party political offices
Preceded by Skip Campbell	Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Florida 2010	Succeeded by George Sheldon
Political offices
Preceded by Philip Levine	Mayor of Miami Beach 2017–present	Incumbent